Congressional Reconstruction and Presidential Reconstruction

Congressional Reconstruction-

Congress was not happy with Andrew Johnson’s reconstruction policies. In turn, congress passed The Reconstruction Acts of 1867 these acts started congressional reconstruction. These acts split the former confederacy into five states that were controlled by the U.S. Army. To have the right to vote, men had to sign the Ironclad Oath. Congressional Reconstruction was developed because of the outrage over Andrew Johnson and his reconstruction plan.


Presidential Reconstruction-


Andrew Johnson controlled the reconstruction of the United States for eight months. Citizens of the United States were not happy with his decisions because the conditions for African Americans didn’t improve beside the fact that they were no longer slaves. Johnson tried to veto the Civil Rights Act but Congress overrode his veto and the act was passed. Andrew Johnson’s presidential reconstruction was started because congress was not in session when he was elected. He controlled reconstruction on his own for eight months.


Requirement to enter union-


After ten percent of a southern states population swore their allegiance to the Union; the state could write a constitution and hold elections. These requirements were fair because if the states were not supporters of the union and became a state, they could secede again.



Congressional Reconstruction

  • Congress took over Andrew Johnson’s Reconstruction
  • Congressional Reconstruction was know as “Radical Reconstruction”
  • Men had to take the Ironclad Oath to have the right to vote
  • Southern states were controlled by the US Army for five years
  • Congress passed the Reconstruction Acts of 1867


Presidential Reconstruction


  • Controlled by the president (Andrew Johnson)
  • Andrew Johnson vetoed most bills passed by congress but congress overrode his vetoes
  • Johnson did not require states to support black suffrage in the south




Behling, R (2003). Reconstruction. In Encyclopedia of American History [Web]. New York: Retrieved May 6, 2009, from http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE52&iPin=EAHV244&SingleRecord=True

Andrews, B (2006). Reconstruction. In Encyclopedia of American Political Parties and Elections [Web]. New York: Retrieved May 6, 2009, from http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE52&iPin=EAPPE0374&SingleRecord=True


By: Regan Saunders